Transdermal delivery from a lipid sponge phase--iontophoretic and passive transport in vitro of 5-aminolevulinic acid and its methyl ester.

The hydrochloride salts of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and its methyl ester (m-ALA), respectively, were dissolved in a lipid sponge phase comprising monoolein, propylene glycol and aqueous buffer at concentrations of approximately 0.25% and 16% w/w m-ALA. The iontophoretic and passive delivery of ALA and m-ALA from this formulation through porcine skin in vitro were measured and compared to formulations used in clinical practice, 20% w/w ALA in Unguentum M and Metvix (a cream containing 16% w/w m-ALA). A sponge phase with 16% w/w m-ALA showed a higher passive flux (approximately 140 nmol cm(-2) h(-1) at 5 h) but a lower iontophoretic flux (approximately 800 nmol cm(-2) h(-1) at 5 h) compared to the clinically used products but the differences are hardly significant due to large standard deviations. ALA and m-ALA in sponge phase formulation showed iontophoretic fluxes in the range 80-100 nmol cm(-2) h(-1) at 3 h, i.e. values comparable to the passive fluxes from the more concentrated vehicles. The results demonstrate that the lipid sponge phase, a thermodynamically stable liquid with amphiphilic character, may have potential as a transdermal drug delivery vehicle.

On iontophoretic delivery enhancement: ionization and transport properties of lidocaine hydrochloride in aqueous propylene glycol.

The ionization and transport properties of lidocaine hydrochloride (LidHCl) in aqueous propylene glycol (PG) containing 20% PG by weight was studied by means of electrical precision conductometry. For drug concentrations exceeding about 1.7 mM a slight formation of LidH(+)Cl(-) ion-pairs is indicated; ion-pair association constant, K(p)=1.73 (molar scale). A two variable analysis of the experimental data yielded K(a)=1.5x10(-8) for the acid dissociation constant of LidH(+), i.e. pK(a)=7.82, and the limiting ionic conductivity, lambda(o)(LidH(+))=21.73 cm(2) S mol(-1). To enable evaluation of single ion conductivities the proton transport number of HCl in the present solvent mixture was determined using the moving boundary method.

Determination of association constants between enantiomers of orciprenaline and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selector by capillary zone electrophoresis using a partial filling technique.

The principles for the determination of conditional association constants of enantiomers by capillary zone electrophoresis employing a partial filling technique (PFT) using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selector is presented. Orciprenaline was used as a model compound. Partial filling is a separation technique, where different lengths of the chiral selector solution are introduced into the capillary to a final zone length shorter than the effective length of the capillary, prior to application of the solutes. Lengthening of the separation zone results in improving enantioresolution in addition to decreasing electrophoretic mobility of the enantiomers, because of longer interaction time between the solute and chiral selector. The degree of the reduction in electromobility depends on the affinity of the solute to the chiral selector, i.e. strength of the complex formed between the solute and cyclodextrin. The decrease in the electrophoretic mobility with increasing length of the separation zone is used for determination of the association constant. The association constants of the enantiomers of orciprenaline and the chiral selector were evaluated from the slope of the plot, observed electrophoretic mobility versus the ratio between the length of the separation zone and the effective length of the capillary. It was found that the association constants were independent of the chiral selector concentration. The mean values were 110 M(-1) and 160 M(-1) for respective enantiomer. Constants obtained by a conventional CE technique were in good agreement with those from the PFT experiments. The highest enantioselectivityy was obtained when about 50% of the solute was distributed to the selector phase.